binimetinib
Other Name: Mektovi®
- For treating a certain type of skin cancer called melanoma. It is usually given together with another medication.
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had:
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heart problems or high blood pressure,
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liver problems,
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eye problems, or
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any allergies.
Binimetinib tablets contain a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your health care team.
Remember to:
- Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
- Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
Talk to your health care team about:
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How this medication may affect your sexual health.
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How this medication may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.
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If there is any chance of pregnancy happening, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until 1 month after your last dose (if you are female) and 1 week after your last dose (if you are male). Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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Do not breastfeed while on this medication until 3 days after your last dose.
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This medication is usually taken twice a day by mouth (about 12 hours apart). Talk to your health care team about how and when to take your medication.
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Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
- You will need more than 1 tablet to have the correct dose. Ensure you count the tablets correctly to get the right dose.
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If you forget to take a dose of your binimetinib:
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If it has been less than 6 hours from the missed dose, take the dose as usual. Then take your next dose at the normal scheduled time.
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If it has been longer than 6 hours, do not take the dose. Take your next dose at the normal scheduled time. Do not take extra (double up) to make up for the missed dose.
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If you vomit (throw up) after taking your medication, do not take an additional dose. Take your next dose at the normal scheduled time.
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If you take too much of your medication by accident, or if you think a child or a pet may have swallowed your medication, you must call the Ontario Poison Control Center right away at: 1-800-268-9017.
Will this medication interact with other medications or natural health products?
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Although this medication is unlikely to interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products, tell your health care team about all of your:
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prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as cannabis/marijuana (medical or recreational)
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natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements
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Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?
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Always check your temperature to see if you have a fever before taking any medications for fever or pain (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®)).
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Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.
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If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
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How to check for fever:
Keep a digital (electronic) thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills, headache, mild pain).
- You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
- 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time
OR
- 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.
- 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time
If you do have a fever:
- Try to contact your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
- Ask your health care team for the Fever pamphlet for more information.
If you do not have a fever but have mild symptoms such as headache or mild pain:
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Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.
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Talk to your health care team before you start taking Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ASA (Aspirin®), as they may increase your chance of bleeding or interact with your cancer treatment.
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Talk to your health care team if you already take low dose aspirin for a medical condition (such as a heart problem). It may still be safe to take.
What to DO while on this medication:
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
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DO talk to your health care team about your risk of getting other cancers and heart problems after this treatment.
What NOT to DO while on this medication:
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DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
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DO NOT drive, operate machinery or do any tasks that need you to be alert if you feel drowsy or have problems with your vision.
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
How to safely touch oral anti-cancer medications
If you are a patient:
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Wash your hands before and after touching your oral anti-cancer medication.
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Swallow each pill whole. Do not crush or chew your pills.
If you are a caregiver:
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Wear nitrile or latex gloves when touching tablets, capsules or liquids.
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Wash your hands before putting on your gloves and after taking them off, even if your skin did not touch the oral anti-cancer medication.
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Throw out your gloves after each use. Do not re-use gloves.
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Do not touch oral anti-cancer medications if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What to do if oral anti-cancer medication gets on your skin or in your eyes
If medication gets on your skin:
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Wash your skin with a lot of soap and water.
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If your skin gets red or irritated, talk to your health care team.
If medication gets in your eyes:
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Rinse your eyes with running water right away. Keep water flowing over your open eyes for at least 15 minutes.
The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting binimetinib. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. Binimetinib is usually given along with other medications to treat cancer. Some of the side effects listed below may be due to those other medications.
It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed. Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on binimetinib.
Very Common Side Effects (50 or more out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Higher than normal levels of creatine kinase in your blood (May be severe) Creatine kinase (also called creatine phosphokinase) is an enzyme found in your muscles. High levels of creatine kinase in your blood may mean you have muscle damage. This medication may increase the levels of creatine kinase in your blood. What to look for? High creatine kinase levels may not cause any symptoms that you can see or feel. Your health care team may order a blood test to check your creatine kinase levels.
What to do?
If you have severe muscle pain or weakness and dark-coloured pee, get emergency medical help right away. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve. Get emergency medical help right away if it is severe. |
Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Fatigue What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
Nausea and vomiting (Generally mild) What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent nausea:
If you have nausea or vomiting:
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Talk to your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe. |
Diarrhea What to look for?
What to do? If you have diarrhea:
Ask your health care team for the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if no improvement after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication or if severe (more than 7 times in one day). |
Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Pain pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Thickening of the skin or Rash; Dry, itchy skin What to look for?
What to do? To prevent and treat dry skin:
Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
Constipation What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent constipation:
To help treat constipation:
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
Eye problems What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team as soon as possible. |
Unusual bleeding or bruising (May be severe) What to look for?
What to do?
If you have signs of bleeding:
If you have bleeding that does not stop or is severe (very heavy), you must get emergency medical help right away. |
Talk to your health care team if you have any signs of bleeding. If you have bleeding that doesn’t stop or is severe, you MUST get emergency medical help right away. |
Dizziness What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
Hair thinning or loss What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team if this bothers you. |
Mild swelling What to look for?
What to do?
If you have swelling:
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
High blood pressure What to look for?
What to do?
If you have a severe headache get emergency help right away as it may be a sign your blood pressure is too high. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
Neuropathy (Tingling, numb toes or fingers) What to look for?
What to do?
In rare cases, it may continue long after treatment ends. If you continue to have bothersome symptoms, talk to your health care team for advice. |
Talk to your health care team, especially if you have trouble doing tasks like doing up buttons, writing, moving, or if you have severe pain or numbness. |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
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Irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting spells
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Swelling in your legs, ankles and belly
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Pain, swelling and hardening of the vein in an arm or leg
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Yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly
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Pain in the centre of your belly that may spread to your back
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New cough, breathing problems, chest pain or coughing up blood
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Signs of an allergic reaction: Itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness
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Unusual changes in your skin, such as skin sores, warts or reddish bumps that bleed or do not heal.
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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April 2023 New patient information sheet
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.